research projects

        Studying neurotransmission at single nano-biostructures have been challenges facing scientists for many years. This is due to limitation in available probes and platforms for performing such measurements as well as resolve the technical challenges set by the size of nanostructures, i.e. synaptic cleft typically has size less than 100nm. Our lab is employing nanoITIES electrode sensor probes, and nano-resolution Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy imaging platform, to study neurotransmission at this technically challenging yet biologically critical region, Synaptic Cleft.

        Electroanalytical chemistry has been playing a critical role in studying neurotransmission. Non-redox active neurotransmitters, despite their importance in memory and health, remains largely unexplored. This is due to lack of suitable sensor probes for their detection. Our lab is developing novel sensor probes that can be used to detect non-redox active neurotransmitters (such as Acetylcholine) employing multi-disciplinary toolsets such as Nanotechnology, Electrochemistry, Interfacial Chemistry. The detection is based on ion transfer across a nanoscopic interfaces between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES). Besides, these sensor probes developed in the Shen lab can be used to detect redox active neurotransmitters as well. In fact, the Shen group has reported the first-ever detection of Acetylcholine (non-redox active), serotonin and tryptamine (redox active) with nanometer sized ITIES probes.

Starting 2021, we launched a new project involving chronic implantable electrodes for detection of neurotransmitters using electrochemistry methods. We are employing carbon fiber electrodes coupled with fast scan cyclic voltammetry to detect Acetylcholine and possibly other neurotransmitters that relate to Alzheimer's disease. 

A related new direction is to understand neurological disorders and diseases by probing gut-brain-axis!